Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-09-23
Conclusion of the Constitution
Centennial Anniversary
Exercises.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Sept. lS.-
The closing exercises attendant upon
the celebration fthe centennial ami
versary of the American Constitution
began yesterday with public recep-
tion to the President in the Commits
sioners' Office at City Hall, followed
by the memorial meeting in 1ndepen-
dence Hall. On the stand beside the
Chief Magistrate of the Nation were
the Justices of the highest courts,
the foreign ministers, and represent
atives of the army and navy and
every department of civic, military
and religious life. Two thousand
children of the public schools sang
the opening chorus. Prayer was
offered by Bishop Potter, of the Epis-
copal Church, also by Cardinal Glib
bons, of Baltimore. Patriotic songs
were rem dered, ard the new National
hymn was recited. The introduc-
tory address was delivered by Hon
John A. Kasson, President of the
Constitution Centennial Commission.
At its conclusion, after the rendering
of Schiller and Mendelsohn's cap
peal to the Truth" by male chorus
| of 200 voices, Mr.. Kasson introduced
President Cleveland, who made an
address. He was followed by Sam'l
F. Miller, senior Justice of the Su-
preme Court of the United States,
who delivered an oration, occupying
over an hour.
Mrs. Cleveland sat in front of the
learned and eccentric Justice, but
made little attempt to follow him.
She wore steel-gray bonnet, trim
med with peach blossoms. Her dress
was steel-gray and white plaid, TRIM
med with gray velvet and relieved by
a vest of peach color. When she
appeared on the. e.front of the grand
stand her beauty captured the mul-
titude. And as she and her husband,
the President, standing hand in hand,
smiled down upon them the multi
tude awoke the echoes with uproar-
ious applause, which did not die
away for several minutes after the
distinguished pair had been seated.
While this welcome must have been
very gratifying to the first lady Of
the land" still that given to her on
her way to Independence Square
was much more so.
The President held public recep-
ii on in the new City Hall in the
morning and shook hands with 5.763
people in an hour and half. One of
the shakers told him he hored
there would be son born in theWhite
House before the year was out.
The greetings of the people and the
responses of the President were of
the most informal character and char
acteristic of the American peoples
republicanism. One good-lookiDg
woman, with bright red hair, not
satisfied with the ordinary greeting,
made quick movement, and before
anyone realized it, had kissed the
President unawares, as he was look
ing out the window. Of course
there was laugh in which every
body joined.
At the conclusion of the memorial
services, about l p. NJ, the Marine
Band rendered march, during which
the President and Mrs. Cleveland
retired, amid the prolonged cheering
of the great crowd present. and were
driven to their hotel, and while the
President went to dine with the Hi
bernian Society at st Georges Hall.
Mrs. Cleveland changed the dress she
had worn in the morningifor pretty
dark-brown, with delicate bonnet to
match, and with Mrs Lamont and
the other ladies who came with her
from Washington proceeded on a
special train to Wooton, the hand
some summer residence of George W.
Childs.
The party invited by Mr.. and Mrs..
Childs was very select, yet the spa
cious lawns surrounding the house
and saloons in it were crowded with
an cver-moving throng Of brilliantly
attired ladies and gentlemen. All
the Army and Navy officers in town
were present, as well as the distin.
guished men and dignitaries. with
representatives of Philadelphia's best
society. To Mrs Cleveland, stand
ing beside Mrs. Childs, the guests
were presented upon their arrival,
and from 3 O'Clock to 6 the bright
procession passed by. Those pre-
sented paused but to exchange word
or so, and then went away to allow
those who followed the same privi-
lege. 1t is unnecessary to say that
the decorations at Wooton were elc-
CANT. Words fail to describe the
beautiful effects which Mr. and Mrs.
Childs had managed to produce in
their already beautiful place. 1t was
grand affair. scene that will long
be remembered.
In the afternoon the President ap-
pearcd at the closing feature of the
celebration, banquet given at the
Academy of Music by the University
of Pennsylvania, American Philo-
sophical Society, College of Physic-
ians, Law Academy, Historical So
ciety, Franklin Institute, Academy
of Fine Arts and the Academy Of
Natural Sciences.
Mrs. Cleveland. attired in bril-
liant evening dress, upon which os-
trich feathers figured prominently,
also attended this banquet. AT this
banquet, in the course of his speech,
the President said:-
On such day as this, and in the
atmosphere that now surrounds him,
| feel that the President Of the U. s
should be thoughtfully modest and
humble. The great Office he occupies
stands to-day in the presence of its
, maker; and it is especially fitting for
this servant OF the people and crea-
ture Of the Constitution, amid the i'm
pressive scenes Of this Centennial
, occasion, by a rigid self-examination
to be assured concerning his loyalty
and obedience to tie Jaw Of his eXis-
| teDce He will find that the rules
J prescribed for his guidance require
for the performance Of his duty. not
, the intellect or attainments which
would raise him far above the feeling
, and sentiment of the plain people Of
l i i